Dried wood ear mushrooms are large, edible fungi grown in Western China and used widely in Asian cuisine. They are matt and twisted when dehydrated, but once the wood ear mushrooms have been soaked in water for twenty minutes they expand, taking on a glistening silver-black appearance and jelly-like texture.

Unlike the cloud ear mushroom, wood ear mushrooms can be stewed for long periods of time, while retaining their shape and clean bite. Wood ear mushrooms are used primarily for their unusual, slippery and crunchy, jelly fish-like texture making them delicious in broths, stews and stir fries.